Owning Your Next Role: The benefits of Thinking Like Your Boss
Written by Marla Skibbins
As a leader in your current role, have you ever considered what it would be like to step into your boss's shoes and see the organization from their perspective? What would it be like to think strategically in their position, without the constraints and tasks of your current one? What would you do differently, if you were in their space and could take on the same level of responsibility? Taking on this perspective can provide you with some powerful and valuable insights about your organization, your goals, your team, and even yourself.
Stepping into the next possible position for yourself can actually help you excel in your current position, and here’s why:
1. Gain Empathy: When you imagine yourself in your boss's role, it fosters empathy. You can begin to understand the pressures, responsibilities, and challenges they face daily. This empathy can improve your working relationship, as you become more understanding of their decisions and actions. You will gain the ability to think ahead and make decisions that might support both your boss and yourself better.
2. Strategic Thinking: Stepping into your boss's role encourages you to think more strategically. You'll consider the big-picture objectives and long-term vision of the organization, and gain a better understanding of why certain goals, procedures, and tasks may have been put into place. This perspective can help you make decisions that align with the company's overall goals and enhance your leadership abilities to navigate complex situations and contribute to the organization’s overall success.
3. Prioritization + Delegation Skills: Your boss likely juggles numerous tasks and priorities. When you put yourself in their shoes, you'll learn to prioritize effectively, focusing on what matters most to achieve success. You’ll also have a better idea of how they have delegated their tasks to you, which in turn can open your eyes to new ways you can delegate with your own team. This skill can be invaluable in your own leadership journey.
4. Career Growth: Thinking about your boss's role and perspective can also benefit your career aspirations. It can demonstrate your readiness for more significant leadership roles within the company and position you as a candidate for career advancement. You’ll have had time to truly think about “what comes next” for yourself, your team, and the organization, allowing you to step into a bigger and better leadership mindset.
Putting yourself in your boss's shoes and considering what they think about is not just a leadership skill but a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It allows you to gain empathy, think strategically, improve communication, and strengthen your leadership capabilities. Ultimately, by adopting this perspective, you become a more effective and influential leader, better equipped to support your team and contribute to your organization's success. So, take a moment to step into your boss's role and see how it can transform your leadership approach.